Patrick Oconnell
Broccoli cheese soup is a hearty, rich, and creamy comfort food. It's a tasty way to use up leftover broccoli, and you can add other leftover vegetables, such as carrots, to the mix. You can even add leftover ham or bacon to make it a more substantial meal. If you have leftover soup, you can repurpose it in many ways, such as serving it over a baked potato or using it as a pasta sauce. You can also make broccoli cheese bites by dipping the broccoli in egg, then breading and frying it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days |
| Freeze for up to 3 months | |
| Reheating | Microwave or low heat on the stove |
| Consistency | Chunky, smooth, or somewhere in between |
| Use a potato masher or blender to achieve desired consistency | |
| Add-ins | Bacon, ham, carrots, celery, cauliflower, nutmeg, mustard, salt, pepper, etc. |
| Uses | Dip, salad, sandwich, pasta sauce, baked potato topping, pot pie filling, eggs Benedict |
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What You'll Learn
Add to pasta
Leftover broccoli cheese soup can be added to pasta in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:
Mac and Cheese
Add some leftover ham and pasta to your broccoli cheese soup to make a hearty and comforting mac and cheese. You may need to add some extra cheese to thicken the sauce.
Pasta Bake
For a more indulgent option, why not try using the soup as a sauce for a pasta bake? Simply cook your favourite pasta, mix it with the soup, and transfer it to an oven-safe dish. Top with some extra cheese and bake until golden and bubbling.
Cheesy Pasta
You can also use the leftover soup as a sauce for a simple cheesy pasta dish. Just cook your favourite type of pasta and toss it with the warm soup. If the soup is very thick, you can thin it out with a little milk or vegetable broth before adding it to the pasta.
Pasta Salad
For a cold option, turn your leftover soup into a pasta salad dressing. Thin out the soup with some olive oil, lemon juice, and vinegar, and toss it with cooked pasta and your favourite salad ingredients, such as chopped vegetables, nuts, or seeds.
With a little creativity, your leftover broccoli cheese soup can be transformed into a variety of delicious pasta dishes!
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Make broccoli cheese bites
Broccoli cheese bites are a great snack option and can be made with just a few simple ingredients. They are perfect for a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner and can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious broccoli cheese bites using leftover broccoli cheese soup:
Ingredients:
- Leftover broccoli cheese soup
- Breadcrumbs (plain-flavored panko breadcrumbs are recommended)
- Egg(s)
- Shredded cheese (optional: mozzarella or a cheese blend for more flavor)
- Finely chopped onion
- Garlic powder
- Salt and other seasonings, to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the leftover broccoli cheese soup, breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, onion, garlic powder, and any desired seasonings. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Grease a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Avoid using paper liners as the bites tend to stick.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared mini muffin pan, filling each cup almost to the top.
- Pack the mixture down lightly and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Allow the broccoli cheese bites to cool completely before removing them from the pan and serving.
These broccoli cheese bites can be enjoyed as a snack or paired with various dips and sides, such as pizza sauce, ranch dressing, Greek yogurt, or hummus. They can also be served with cooked grains like quinoa, rice, or couscous for a more filling meal.
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Turn into a sauce for a baked potato
Turning Leftover Broccoli Cheese Soup into a Sauce for Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes with broccoli cheese sauce are a great way to use up leftover broccoli cheese soup. This recipe is a comforting, vegetarian classic that is simple to make and can be easily customised to your taste.
Ingredients:
- Leftover broccoli cheese soup
- Potatoes (russet potatoes are recommended)
- Optional: Shredded carrot, hot sauce, black pepper, or any other toppings of your choice
Method:
There are several ways to bake your potatoes, including in the oven, air fryer, microwave, pressure cooker, or slow cooker.
Oven: Cut the potatoes in half before baking to reduce cooking time and create a crispy skin.
Air Fryer: Prick the potatoes with a fork, rub with oil and salt, and air fry at 400°F for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway.
Microwave: Scrub the potatoes, prick with a fork, and microwave on high for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Instant Pot: Place potatoes on a trivet, add 1 cup of water, and pressure cook on high for 12-20 minutes, depending on size.
Slow Cooker: Scrub potatoes, prick with a fork, rub with oil and salt, and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
Once your potatoes are baked, slice them in half and lightly mash the insides with a fork. Ladle your leftover broccoli cheese soup over the potatoes, and serve immediately.
Customisation:
For added texture, you can shred a carrot into your leftover soup before pouring it over the potatoes. You can also add a few dashes of hot sauce or black pepper for an extra kick.
Get creative and experiment with different toppings to make this dish your own!
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Make a pot pie
To make a pot pie with leftover broccoli cheese soup, you can follow this recipe:
Ingredients
For the crust, you will need all-purpose flour, salt, butter, an egg yolk, and milk. For the filling, you'll need leftover broccoli cheese soup, cooked chicken, and some additional vegetables like carrots, spinach, peas, cauliflower, onion, or mushrooms. You can also add some garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to taste.
Instructions
Start by making the pot pie dough in a food processor. Shape it into a disc and refrigerate it for at least an hour before rolling it out. You can make the dough ahead of time if that's more convenient. While the dough is chilling, cook your chicken in a large pot and set it aside.
Next, make the cheese sauce in the same pot. Simply heat up your leftover broccoli cheese soup and thin it out with some milk or broth if needed to achieve a sauce-like consistency. Add the cooked chicken, chopped broccoli florets, and any other vegetables you're using, and mix until everything is well coated in the cheese sauce.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat a 10-inch deep skillet or pie pan with cooking spray. Pour the chicken and broccoli cheese filling into the prepared pan. Roll out the chilled pie dough on a floured surface until it's large enough to cover the pan. Place the dough on top of the filling, crimping the edges as desired.
Make a few slits in the top of the dough to allow steam to escape during baking. If desired, brush the top of the dough with an egg wash (beaten egg mixed with a little water) for a golden, glossy finish. Bake the pot pie for about 30-40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
Let the pot pie cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your creative use of leftovers!
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Use as a dip
If you have leftover broccoli cheese soup, you can repurpose it as a dip! Here are some ideas:
Broccoli Cheese Dip
This dip is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. All you need are a few simple ingredients: chopped broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and Velveeta cheese. For a more colourful presentation, add some chopped roasted red peppers or pimiento. If you're looking for extra flavour and texture, sauté some onions and mushrooms in butter or olive oil first. You can even add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a more complex flavour. This dip is versatile and can also be used as a topping for baked stuffed potatoes or potato skins.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Take inspiration from this classic dip and add your leftover broccoli cheese soup to it! You can enjoy this dip with some chips or nachos.
As a Topping
Use your leftover broccoli cheese soup as a topping for baked potatoes or potato skins. Thin the soup with some cream, milk, or beer, and top it on your potatoes for a hearty meal. Serve it with some crispy croutons on the side.
With Tortilla Chips
Turn your leftover soup into a dip and serve it with tortilla chips. Simply cook your broccoli, either frozen or fresh, and combine it with condensed soup, sour cream, and garlic powder. Cube your cheese and melt it in a slow cooker, then add the soup and broccoli mixture. Keep it warm and serve with your favourite tortilla chips.
Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to create your unique dip combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
Leftover broccoli cheese soup will stay good for up to 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be reheated in the microwave or over low heat on the stove.
No, creamy and cheesy soups tend to separate and become grainy once they have been frozen and thawed.
Leftover broccoli cheese soup can be used as a sauce for pasta or baked potatoes, or as a filling for garlic bread or pot pies. You can also add some flour and cheese to thicken it and turn it into a pasta sauce for mac and cheese.
Yes, you can add ingredients such as ham, bacon, or other vegetables to leftover broccoli cheese soup.
Yes, leftover broccoli can be added to soup. It can be blended with other ingredients to make a smooth soup or added to the soup as small florets for a chunkier texture.
